An Open Letter to President George W. Bush:
No Tax Hikes for Social Security!

In a letter sent this week to President Bush, the Center for Individual Freedom joined more than more than 40 organizations representing millions of people across the country in urging President Bush "to publicly and forcefully repudiate proposals to increase taxes in any plan to reform Social Security."

"Recently, members of your Administration have suggested openness to the notion of expanding payroll taxes as a part of a grand bargain to 'save' Social Security," the letter reads.  "America's retirement program is completely broken and any reform package that relies on such simplistic, punitive measures will not address its underlying failures. In December 2004, you stated unequivocally 'We will not raise payroll taxes to solve this problem.' Past Presidents have made no-tax pledges and suffered greatly in breaking them. In light of recent reports, Americans are counting on you to renew your pledge."

The letter reinforces the fact that solvency of the Social Security system remains in jeopardy, but drives home the point that tax hikes are not a viable solution.  In fact, the letter points out that large tax increases and modest benefit changes in 1977 and 1983 failed to improve the long-term actuarial deficit of the program.

Instead of tax hikes, the letter calls for market-based solutions, such as personal retirement accounts, as a more effective means to solving the Social Security crisis.

The National Taxpayers Union spearheaded the effort.  Among those signing the letter were: Americans for Tax Reform, the American Conservative Union, The Club for Growth, Citizens Against Government Waste, FreedomWorks, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Counsel and many others.